- The Election Commission announced polling dates for Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry
- Bengal will hold elections in two phases on April 23 and April 29, a significant reduction from eight phases
- The reduction in phases was keeping in mind everyone's "convenience"
The Election Commission today announced the polling schedule for four states-Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal-and the Union Territory of Puducherry. A significant departure from previous elections, West Bengal will vote in just two phases on April 23 and 29, a sharp drop from the eight-phase marathon seen in the last assembly polls.
In 2021, voting in Bengal spanned nearly a month over eight phases, beginning in late March and concluding on April 29. When asked by NDTV about the reduction in phases this time, the poll panel cited "convenience".
"The number of phases has been brought down to two for everyone's convenience," the poll panel said.
Read | Bengal Votes In 2 Phases: April 23 And April 29, Results On May 4
During its recent two-day visit to West Bengal, the Election Commission held consultations with various political parties about the phases.
Many political leaders have long argued that multi-phase elections lead to a prolonged campaign period, demanding significantly higher expenditure and physical effort. Critics of long-drawn-out schedules also contend that they make the election process financially burdensome and the exercise tedious for the electorate.
Multiple phases also make the election process financially burdensome while making the entire exercise tedious and monotonous.
Another key factor influencing the election timeline in West Bengal was the tenure of the current state Assembly. The term of the Assembly is scheduled to end on May 7. Under constitutional provisions, elections must be conducted before the expiry of the assembly's term to ensure continuity of governance.
Security has also been a major factor in determining the polling schedule, particularly in West Bengal, which has historically seen intense political battle. Sources say that around 480 battalions of central security forces have already been sent to the state in preparation for the elections. The presence of central forces is aimed at ensuring peaceful voting and maintaining law and order during the election period.
